Dog walkers with multiple dogs could be breaking the law without realising it, according to new guidance from UK pet accessory brand TopDog.

While there is no legal limit on how many dogs one person can walk, councils across England and Wales increasingly use Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) to cap the number at between four-six dogs per walker. Breaching a PSPO carries a £100 fixed penalty notice on the spot, rising to a fine of up to £1,000 if the case goes to court.

As the demand for dog walkers grows, partly thanks to a cultural shift towards in-office working post-pandemic, so does the risk of accidentally breaking local rules on how many dogs one person can handle at once.

Several London boroughs, such as Wandsworth and Tower Hamlets, have introduced formal licensing, where dog walkers must apply for a paid licence to walk more than four dogs. Without the correct permit, dog walkers could face enforcement action from council and parks police officers.

However, penalties for losing control of a pack of dogs can go far beyond a fine.

Under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991, it is a criminal offence to allow any dog to be “dangerously out of control” in any place, regardless of how many dogs are being walked. The penalty for a basic offence is an unlimited fine, up to six months in prison, or both, along with a possible lifetime ban on owning a dog.

If a dog goes on to injure someone, the maximum sentence rises to five years in prison; if the dog kills someone, it’s up to 14 years.

TopDog is urging professional walkers to check local PSPOs before heading out, and to build up multi-dog experience gradually rather than assuming a “safe” number.

“Dog walking is a crucial service for households balancing hybrid working, but taking on more jobs must not mean taking on more dogs than you can legally, or safely, manage,” says John Skinner, Co-Founder of TopDog.

“There is no universal rule, which makes things tricky. A group size that is permitted in one park or borough may trigger enforcement action in another. Professional walkers must check the PSPOs and licence conditions for every area they use.

TopDog’s advice for walking multiple dogs safely and legally:

Always check for PSPOs in the areas you plan to walk
The upper limit should always be determined by how many dogs you feel comfortable handling
Get to know each dog’s temperament on individual lead walks before adding them to the pack
Balance the dog’s needs when creating walking groups
Each dog must have their own lead and tags
Develop the routine consistently to build good habits
Walk in quiet areas to minimise the distractions caused by people, traffic and other dogs